COMPASS: The Navigators of Next — WVON 40 Under 40 Game Changers
Charting the Course. Building What's Next. WVON's 40 Under 40 Game Changers celebrates the leaders, builders, and innovators carrying Chicago forward. Join us Thursday, October 29, 2026 to honor the class.
the Honor
WVON's 40 Under 40 Game Changers recognizes dynamic leaders under 40 who are making meaningful impact across Chicago and beyond. From business and innovation to community, culture, media, health, and civic leadership, this honor celebrates people who are navigating the path forward and building what's next.
"We don't wait for the path.
We find it. We build it.
We lead what's next.
The Celebration — October 29, 2026
On Thursday, October 29, 2026, we honor the 40 Under 40 Game Changers — the leaders, builders, and innovators carrying Chicago's legacy forward. A new class of navigators, charting what's next.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Louis Carr
President, BET
Dr. Louis Carr is the President of BET, a role he assumed in December 2025 after four decades of transformative leadership within the company. Across his 40-year tenure, Carr has helped shape BET into the premier media destination for Black audiences worldwide, driving culture, impact, and community empowerment at every step. During his first year as President, Carr established BET's first-ever Board of Advisors and delivered the network's highest-rated BET Awards telecast since 2019 among adults 18–49.
Emcee
Dometi Pongo
Journalist, Producer, Storyteller
Dometi Pongo is an award-winning journalist, host, and executive producer covering music, art, and culture. His credits include the MTV VMAs, GRAMMYs, MTV Europe Music Awards, BET, Smithsonian Channel (The Exhibit, Meaning in Music), and MTV’s True Life Crime. He currently hosts the digital interview series On the Go and Chess Not Checkers. Pongo, a Chicago-native and former WVON News Director, was also a proud recipient of the 40 Gamechangers Under 40 Award in 2018.
Standard
Gamechangers represent leadership, impact, and forward movement in their field or community.
Under 40
Nominee must be 39 years old or younger by the eligibility deadline.
Chicago Impact
Demonstrates a meaningful connection to and impact on Chicago or the surrounding area.
Leadership
Exhibits vision, initiative, integrity, and commitment to excellence.
Innovation or Service
Creates new ideas, solutions, programs, businesses, or meaningful community service.
Community Influence
Positively influences, uplifts, or opens doors for others.
Lead
These leaders work across industries and disciplines — people whose work is shaping culture, business, community, and the future of Chicago.
Thank You to Our Sponsor
BMO
BMO's commitment to "Boldly Grow the Good" is about creating opportunities and making a positive impact in the communities it serves. That mission naturally aligns with WVON's 40 Under 40 Game Changers, which celebrates the young leaders doing meaningful work across Chicago. Together, BMO and WVON can shine a light on the people who are driving change and helping shape the city's future.
Questions